Wednesday, July 17, 2013

An aerobridge worker in the Philippines has been named and shamed on the internet after accidentally damaging a China Airlines Boeing 737-800.

Carmelo Adaptante has been accused of “over steering” at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 earlier this week, causing an aerobridge tube to strike the aircraft’s door.

Although the incident was described as ‘minor’ by officials, a report on InterAksyon.com estimates that repairing the dent could cost anything between $1-3 million, depending on the extent of damage. That’s a pretty steep bill for China Airlines!

I’ve included a photo of the aircraft (with the aerobridge tube attached) on this page. Remember to like my Facebook page for more aviation photos, videos and stories – click here to visit!

The Boeing 737-800 was scheduled to operate a Taipei-bound flight when the incident occurred on Monday. However, China Airlines was forced to cancel the service as a safety precaution, leaving over 100 passengers stranded.

Around 40 of the passengers were booked onto an Eva Air flight to Taipei, while the rest were eventually accommodated on another China Airlines flights.

Every position in an airport environment needs to be accorded proper attention. You cant pay aerobridge workers like janitors and you must have safety procedures in place because in all honesty....Stuff happens.